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Topic: prayer rope (Read 4183 times)

I have just ordered a 100-knot prayer rope. the man I ordered it from told me it would loosly wrap around my wrist three times. this got me to thinking, am I supposed to wear it round my wrist? do you?

Based on my experiences, I would recommend you never use your prayer rope in church. When in church, you're there to participate in the prayers of the community, not to carry on your own individual prayers, which the prayer rope represents.

Based on my experiences, I would recommend you never use your prayer rope in church. When in church, you're there to participate in the prayers of the community, not to carry on your own individual prayers, which the prayer rope represents.

Actually, many saints recommend the Jesus Prayer even during services, especially when one is distracted. According to them, the prayer doesn't distract from the liturgical prayers, but augments them.

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Based on my experiences, I would recommend you never use your prayer rope in church. When in church, you're there to participate in the prayers of the community, not to carry on your own individual prayers, which the prayer rope represents.

Actually, many saints recommend the Jesus Prayer even during services, especially when one is distracted. According to them, the prayer doesn't distract from the liturgical prayers, but augments them.

But do they recommend that one use a prayer rope to guide their use of the Jesus Prayer in church? It's not so much the prayer itself that I'm talking about, since even I use the Jesus Prayer in church when I need to recapture my attention and focus it on the prayers of the community. The kind of prayer I'm objecting to in church is that individualistic prayer that counts on a prayer rope the number of times one has repeated the Jesus Prayer. This is fine when you're at home, but in church it can be a distraction to those around you.

Based on my experiences, I would recommend you never use your prayer rope in church. When in church, you're there to participate in the prayers of the community, not to carry on your own individual prayers, which the prayer rope represents.

Actually, many saints recommend the Jesus Prayer even during services, especially when one is distracted. According to them, the prayer doesn't distract from the liturgical prayers, but augments them.

I just found this discussion where the use of the Jesus Prayer in church services is discussed in much greater detail:

I have just ordered a 100-knot prayer rope. the man I ordered it from told me it would loosly wrap around my wrist three times. this got me to thinking, am I supposed to wear it round my wrist? do you?

Wear it around your wrist in order to remind you to keep the Divine words:

1Th. 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

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some do, some dont. in my opinion, unless youre using it, it shouldnt be seen.

I have heard that it is very bad to be discovered by others when you are doing your prayer rule.

Then again Orthodox Christians should be able to see the spirituality of others in order to obey the words:

Matt. 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

I agree. I guess it comes down to a matter of intention. If we carry our prayer ropes to be admired by men, then that is wrong. But if we carry our prayer ropes in order to avoid temptation and to endeavor to pray without ceasing, then our intention is godly and others may be edified and encouraged by what they see us doing. I am always encouraged and strengthened when I see humble but open displays of Christian faith. It inspires me to not be ashamed of the Gospel [Romans 1:16].

Selam

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"Whether it’s the guillotine, the hangman’s noose, or reciprocal endeavors of militaristic horror, radical evil will never be recompensed with radical punishment. The only answer, the only remedy, and the only truly effective response to radical evil is radical love."+ Gebre Menfes Kidus +http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/Products/SKU-000984270/Rebel-Song.aspx

Let us the faithful now come together to praise our father, protector and teacher the pillar of the Orthodox faith and firm defender of piety even the wondrous hierarch Philaret and let us glorify our Saviour Who has granted us his incorrupt relics as a manifest sign of his sanctity.

As a participant in the previous dialog on this matter, let me just say that there is little agreement on the topic. So, here are a few things to ponder:

1) Some saints advocate saying the Jesus Prayer during services, but this seems to be a means of focussing the mind as opposed to an alternative service.

2) We use the Jesus prayer to focus the mind on God rather than a means of escapism (i.e. "I need to stop thinking and start paying attention, so I will say the prayer until I am back in reality again" versus "I don't like this hymn or the sermon, so I will find a 'happy place' rather than be uncomfortable or challenged").

3) Wearing the rope in public can be interpreted as a means of demonstrating one's 'piety' like the Pharisees who prayed on the street corner.

4) Having a rope openly may also engender questions and lead to opportunities for evangelism.

5) A prayer rope should never be a rear-view mirror ornament! A cross is more appropriate.

6) "To the pure all things are pure." If you wear the rope to impress others or convince yourself you are a Christian, then it is a sin. If you wear it because you need it because you are weak, then wear it.

7) I carry mine in my pocket, and I make sure not to let it be seen. It is intimate for me.

8 ) Depending on your level of development, the Jesus Prayer serve different purposes. In the beginning, it is a means of avoiding sinful thoughts. Then, it becomes a means of focussing on God. Then, it becomes the only appropriate thing to say. Most of us never get to the third level. We do need to know why we have it and what we are using it for. Sometimes we need to pay attention to the road and to God, and other times to God alone. Know the difference.

9) Sometimes you may need to not wear the rope depending on others around you, just as you would not wear a swimsuit to a funeral. If you are determined to go to that "Black Sabbath" concert, please don't bring your prayer rope (though you will certainly need it afterwards)!

10) You can also carry beads in place of a rope. I made mine from date pits. On Mt. Athos, some of the monks make then from seeds of a tree they call the 'Tears of the Theotokos.'

According to St. John Chrysostom, the only appropriate thing for a Christian to wear as part of his faith is the Cross or the Scriptures. The prayer rope was not mentioned, though I am sure it was in existence in his time.

The only people I've personally met who dissuaded the wearing of a prayer rope are Russians, because it is part of the monastic habit, I have been told. Greek monastic spiritual fathers seem to encourage the wearing of the small wrist prayer rope. It reminds one he should be praying regularly. I suppose this is a cultural/local custom issue.

I advise people that ask me about it, that they should wear a wrist prayer rope but certainly not a 100-knot one with a tassel wrapped around their arm several times. That appears ostentatious to me.

According to St. John Chrysostom, the only appropriate thing for a Christian to wear as part of his faith is the Cross or the Scriptures. The prayer rope was not mentioned, though I am sure it was in existence in his time.